Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5)(55)

Tension stretched taut.

Kaia reached out and placed her palm on his chest, fingers spread. A beautiful starfish of a hand, the back of her knuckles pressed securely into his skin.

Slowly, she sent her fingers crawling down his torso, tickling and teasing him with each deliberate stroke. Delight lit her eyes, her fire within blazing hot and ready.

She might be eager, and willing, but when her hand reached his waist, she pulled back and cast him a sidelong glance, canting her head, evaluating, trying to gauge his reaction.

He wondered how experienced she was. Archer had told him Kaia had not ever had a serious boyfriend, that she'd been too dedicated to her studies and her goal of becoming a veterinarian. That, he understood.

But was she . . . could she be . . . He certainly did not want to take her virginity. If she'd waited this long to surrender her innocence, she needed to give herself to the right person. The man who would be her forever mate.

"Kaia," he said, surprised to hear his voice crack. "Is this . . . am I . . ." He swallowed hard. "Your first?"

She laughed then, a sound full of amusement. "You think I'm a virgin?"

Chagrined, he backtracked. "Archer told me you'd never had a serious boyfriend."

"Archer doesn't know everything, but I'm twenty-six. What? Did you think I was waiting around, pining over you?"

"No," he said. "Of course not. It's just that you seemed a little . . ." Oh crap, he was mangling this.

"Green?" she supplied.

"Inexperienced."

"Granted, I'm not the most worldly woman in the world," she said. "Which is part of what's got me hesitating. You're used to sleek, sophisticated, city women. You've dated a lot. You know your way around the bedroom. Me? I'm a farm girl with no pretentions of being anything more than I am."

"That's what I lo . . . er . . . like about you," he said, catching himself before he said the word love. Why did that word burn hot in his throat?

"I'm afraid I won't be enough for you. I'm pretty simple when it comes to sex. I'm not much into toys or outlandish bedroom outfits or fetishes or . . . oh who am I kidding. I've never tried any of those things. Maybe I would be into them." She shrugged. "Who knows?"

"We don't need any of those things," he said. "I don't need any of those things. Hell woman, those white cotton panties of yours have me twisted inside out. I don't think I could handle you with whips and chains and a black bustier."



       
         
       
        

"I do know how to crack a bullwhip," she offered. "If it's a bedroom skill you prefer."

"The only thing I prefer is you. Just as you are."

"Really?" Her smile was so authentic, so genuine, so full of relief, it melted his heart to a hot puddle in the square center of his chest.

"Sooo . . ." She blew out her breath through puffed cheeks. "Where do we go from here?"

"Where do you want to go?'

She reached over for the roll of condoms he'd dropped on the nightstand. Ripped one open with a quick, tearing motion, cleared her throat and positioned herself on her knees in front of him.

Her fingers were hot as they manipulated the latex over his erection. She met his gaze, her eyes brilliantly dark and inviting.

Groaning, Ridge wrapped his arms around her, flipped her over onto her back beneath him.

They stared into each other. He moistened his lips. She licked hers.

"I'm so ready for you," she whispered.

He peeled off her panties, touched her, testing. She was moist and swollen, her delicate tissues engorged with desire.

She parted her legs, letting her knees drop to each side, welcoming him in.

Clouds outside the window shifted and an opalescent slice of moonlight draped fresh light over her succulent figure, showing him exactly what she was offering.

Heaven.

He saw clearly her pert, round breasts, nipples ripe and hard with need. Ridge gave those lovely peaks his full attention, each sweep of the tongue, each brush of his fingers spinning her further and further into orbit.

Who was he kidding? He was spinning too. Buzzing. Humming. Whirling with need.

His lips caressed her velvety flesh, smooth and supple and salty. Skimming down her body to the place that made her quiver and shiver and mewl his name.

The dark triangle of hair at the apex of her thighs was a lovely place to lay his head and breathe in the scent of her. She smelled like a mermaid, briny and sunbaked.

"Do you mind that I don't shave down there?" Kaia asked. "I know a lot of women do. Probably most of the women you've been with do, but I . . . well, I'm a natural kind of girl."